24/7 Family Violence Response Phone Line

Victoria’s 24/7 Family Violence Phone Line

Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre. You can get in touch with us any time of the day or night, every day of the year, on 1800 015 188.   

We’re here to support you

Domestic and family violence can happen in any family, to anyone. It is never okay, and people of every age, gender, and sexuality have the right to feel safe at home.

Whatever your situation, our specialists will support you to understand your family violence risks, explore safety options and make appropriate and timely referrals to services that exist to meet your specific and individual needs. Additional supports are available for people with disabilities and people from non-English speaking backgrounds. 

Contacting our specialists

Phoning the 24/7 Family Violence Response line may be your first step in seeking safety. It might be the first time you speak about what is happening behind closed doors. Know that this is what we do each day and we are here to support you, at your pace, to begin taking steps towards safety. 

If you are unable to make a call due to safety reasons or preference, you can email safesteps@safesteps.org.au at any time.

You can also chat to us online between 9am and midnight, Monday to Friday.

A Family Violence specialist will seek to assist you in the way you find most helpful.  

What to expect when you call

When you call Safe Steps  a family violence crisis specialist will help you understand you and your children’s family violence risks and explore options to increase your safety – regardless of whether you want to stay in the relationship or leave.  

Depending on your needs, a Safe Steps specialist can also: 

  • Arrange safety measures that enable you to stay safe at home (if appropriate) 
  • Help you to access crisis accommodation in the case of imminent high risk 
  • Connect you with legal services
  • Connect you with counselling services 
  • Refer you to family violence outreach services in your area for ongoing support 

For non-English speakers 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing family violence and speaks limited or no English, we can arrange to speak to you with the help of a  telephone interpreter. All you need to do is call us and tell us: 

  • Your phone number
  • Your language
  • When it is safe to call 

If someone you know is unable to speak English to give us this information, you can call for them to help arrange a follow-up telephone call. 

Safe Steps Live Web Chat Support

Available 9am – midnight Monday to Friday.

Live web chat is closed on national and Victorian public holidays.

You can start chatting with a family violence specialist by clicking on the green icon in the lower right hand side of the screen between the hours of 9am and 12 midnight on weekdays, except public holidays. 

Chats are anonymous and available to anyone experiencing or afraid of family violence regardless of age, gender, sexuality or gender identity. 

If at any time you need to end the chat click the QUICK EXIT button in the top right hand corner of your screen. It will close and return to a google home-page. History of the chat on your device will be erased. We recommend you then close your browser window, as it will be possible for someone to see that you were on this website if they hit the ‘back’ button on your browser.  

 If you have an inquiry but do not need family violence support please use the contact information listed here instead of starting a web chat.

Our crisis phone line is open 24/7

You can reach a Family Violence Crisis Specialist any time of the day or night on 1800 015 188 or at safesteps@safesteps.org.au 

Find out more about what to expect when you call Safe Steps.

If you have been threatened or you are fearful for yourself, a child or a family member – call 000.

Your privacy

Safe Steps recognises the critical importance of privacy and confidentiality when providing quality, trauma responsive and safe services. See our Confidentiality and Privacy policies for information on how data is collected, stored and used.